speech and language therapy
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Early management of communication / swallowing difficulties after stroke 3rd June 2011. Speech and Language Therapy. overview of the role of Speech and Language Therapy on acute stroke unit swallowing and communication in both hyper-acute and acute phase of rehabilitation - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Speech and Language TherapySpeech and Language Therapy
Early management of
communication / swallowing
difficulties after stroke
3rd June 2011
Aim of presentationAim of presentation
overview of the role of Speech and Language Therapy on acute stroke unit
swallowing and communication in both hyper-acute and acute phase of rehabilitation
MDT working to manage these difficulties
Communication problems after Communication problems after strokestroke
11,000 people in London admitted to hospital with stroke every year (HfL Stroke Strategy, 2008)
A third of individuals experience communication problems after stroke (National Stroke Strategy, 2007)
Swallowing problems after strokeSwallowing problems after stroke
Incidence of dysphagia following stroke ranges from 25% - 81% (Daniels and Huckabee, 2008)
Typically around 40% (NICE guidelines, 2008)
Speech and Language TherapySpeech and Language Therapy
Stroke Speech and Language Service at St Thomas’ Hospital consisting of 2.4 WTE Speech and Language Therapists/Assistants
10 Hyper Acute (HASU) beds
19 acute stroke unit (SU) beds
SLT interventionSLT intervention identification and management of
communication and swallowing difficulties
recommend strategies
advise MDT
educate patients and families
optimise function and access to rehabilitation
What is the role of the Speech and What is the role of the Speech and Language Therapist?Language Therapist?
EDUCATIONPREVENTION SUPPORT
CommunicationCommunication
Communication: Communication: PreventionPrevention
Negative psychosocial effects of communication impairment – Reduced interaction– Increased frustration– Increased isolation
“Talking about aphasia” (Parr et al. 1997)
Communication difficulties blocking access to rehabilitation
Communication: Communication: PreventionPrevention
Lack of understanding of communication capabilities can lead to over or under estimation of ability
This can lead to-unsafe discharge-social isolation-inability to return to previous life roles
Communication: Communication: SupportSupport
Identify an individual’s communication strengths and weaknesses
Use tools to enhance their communication Enable others to communicate with individual
e.g. – Advice regarding strategies – Model “good” communication techniques– provide resources / communication aids
Communication: Communication: SupportSupport
Communication: Communication: SupportSupport
Facilitate individual participation in decision making
Mental Capacity Act requires person to…-understand information-weigh up risks/benefits of any action/inaction-communicate choices
SLT can advise optimal mode of communication to ensure these are met wherever possible
Communication: Communication: SupportSupport Referral to ongoing services or signposting to other
appropriate support agencies for both patient and carers:
- Community SLT (including Early Supported Discharge)
- Connect www.ukconnect.org
- Stroke Association www.stroke.org.uk
- Speakability www.speakability.org.uk
Communication difficulties post stroke linked to depression and associated with higher rates of unmet needs (Stroke Survivor Needs Survey 2010).
Communication: Communication: EducationEducationThe individualThe individual
Patient to understand their diagnosisadapt their communication / use
strategies if possible
Communication: Communication: EducationEducationFamily and carersFamily and carers
For families: - acknowledge anxieties- facilitate understanding of diagnosis and prognosis- demonstrate the individual’s retained abilities- give adviceregarding communication strategies
- individualised advice e.g.
Mr J has difficulty understanding. He is helped by people speaking to him slowly and clearly and in short sentences. He can’t tell you his response but can nod and shake his head for “yes” and “no”. He also has a communication book which he can use to indicate basic needs.
Communication: Communication: EducationEducationGeneralGeneral Staff training programmes
Practical workshops
Modelling good communication techniques
Awareness raising
Joint sessions with other members of MDT / shadowing
Involvement in development of stroke specific competencies
Providing ward communication resources
Swallowing DifficultiesSwallowing Difficulties(Dysphagia)(Dysphagia)
Swallow: Swallow: PreventionPrevention
Dysphagia is known to be associated with poorer outcomes, specifically: – a higher incidence of death and disability, – chest infections – longer length of stay(NICE guidelines, 2008)
Swallow: Swallow: PreventionPrevention
“Screening for swallowing difficulty after stroke is a key part of the clinical assessment of an acute stroke patient, and is one of the important process indicators for stroke.” (NICE guidelines, 2008)
Swallow screening included as a standard for SINAP, Healthcare for London and the Sentinel Audit
Nurse ScreenNurse Screen
Swallow: Swallow: PreventionPrevention
The swallow screen allows those who are not dysphagic to be rapidly established on oral intake
Dysphagic patients can also access timely appropriate nutrition / hydration
Optimise nutrition and hydration within first 24 hours for all patients
Swallow: Swallow: PreventionPrevention SLT role is to provide further ‘expert
assessment’ to minimise risk of aspiration (and therefore pneumonia)
Preserve oral feeding where possible, to optimise function and quality of life
Assessment may involve further specialist objective assessment
FEES and Videofluoroscopy
(NICE guidelines, 2008)
Swallow: Swallow: PreventionPrevention
Particular emphasis on team approach in managing swallowing difficulty– Physio for positioning advice and chest management– Dietitian for nutrition advice– Pharmacist for medication advice– NS for feeding, following guidelines, monitoring for
any signs difficulties– OT for modified cutlery and functional advice– Medical team - monitoring
Swallow: Swallow: SupportSupport SLTs offer support education and advice for
patients carers and staff Advice on risk factors for aspiration and
pneumonia Palliative care: risk management approach to
maintain oral feeding Positioning Feeding Alertness Recommendations Mouthcare!
Working together!Working together!
If you are unsure about anything…. ask!
If you see anything that you think might be important … let us know!
We rely on your feedback as you spend more time with the patients than we are able to
SummarySummary
Our focus from initial stages is on:– Preventing risk/ limiting the negative
consequences of communication / swallowing impairments following stroke.
– Supporting individuals and staff in understanding and optimising function.
– Educating everyone on the complex nature of communication and swallow impairments.
SummarySummary
Aim is to ensure that individuals are at the centre of a well-informed and
collaborating team, which includes individuals, staff and carers.
THANK YOU!
AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements
Corinne Avery, SLT King’s College Hospital
Connect, the Communication Disability Charity
Speakability